"The Centurion and the Queen by Minnette Meador is a fabulous historical piece. Immersing the reader in the history and splendor of ancient Britannia and showing the honor and strength of the Roman army Ms. Meador has created a fantastic story. Political intrigue, internal power struggles, epic battles, madness, passion, and love are just a few of the things that you will experience while turning the pages of this novel.
Historical novels especially historical Romance tend to fall within fairly set parameters and usually tend to be a bit cliché this story breaks out of those parameters and destroys the clichés with a truly refreshing story of love in ancient Britannia." - Simply Romance Reviews
"As The Edge of Honor builds directly off the previous novel, I highly recommend reading The Centurion and the Queen first. This historical epic continues to explore the relationship between Delia and Marius but with their already established romance as more of a subplot. The focus is on the struggle for power. The author, Minnette Meador, adeptly weaves in Roman and Celtic words and references, adding realism to this harsh world. Fans of The Centurion and the Queen will not be disappointed." Fallen Angel Review - 5 Angels
The Centurion and the Queen by Minnette Meador
Read by Joysann, Publisher's Weekly
"When the beautiful Breton queen Delia puts herself forward to negotiate the release of her tribesmen, Roman Centurion Marius is enthralled with her wit and bravery. Delia, for her part, is intrigued with the commander in a way she's never experienced. Their passion flares, but when duty demands his strict adherence, neither is sure they can bear the consequences. I was engrossed by The Centurion and the Queen, and didn't put it down. I've always enjoyed more those historical novels that are based on researched events and people, than those that are simply placed in some past era. And though I'm no historian, I've always been intrigued by how the western world was changed by the Roman occupancy. Minnette Meador's romance story touches on events in the British Isles that did shape history, but leaves the reader hoping that, even in those harsh and cruel times, there could have been a happily ever-after."
"...if you're looking for an exciting read, empowered heroine, romantic love, and intriguing vision of English history, the Centurion and the Queen will supply your needs and more." Sheila Deeth - Gather
"...this is a cracking novel and if you’re a history buff like me and love a riveting read that’s difficult to put down, then you’ll enjoy The Centurion and the Queen. It’s a fantastic novel that delivers in every way and deserves to be read. Get it today and I promise you won’t be disappointed." Lucid Review from Ireland
“The Centurion And The Queen is very well written and well researched…I enjoyed it and am greatly looking forward to Minnette Meador's next novel.” Enduring Romance Review
“…I’m looking forward to reading more of [Minnette’s] works… She brings you into a new time and very quickly has you integrated into the lives and settings of her characters. I encourage you to try out Minnette’s work and see how enmeshed you will become in her wonderful settings. …this book pulled me in and I read it in two sittings…” 4-Hearts – Nightowl Romance Review
“Ms. Meador weaves a beautiful story that I could not get enough of. Her characters are so full of life and were enjoyable to read. The setting was great too, since it is one of my favorite time periods. I could only hope that Delia and Marius would come through it all right no matter what happened between them. This is one author that I would love to read more and hope to see how she deals with more situations in her stories.” Coffee Time Romance, 4 Cups
“…You all have to read The Centurion and the Queen by Minnette Meador. It’s awesome!!! What a thrilling story!!! Honestly, this has to be one of the best historicals I’ve read in very a long time. The story will leave you gasping, smiling, screaming at/cheering for the characters, and wishing this book would be made into a movie. The interaction between Marius and Delia is amazing and breathtaking.” Author, Tia Fanning
“…I [was] absolutely absorbed in the story of THE CENTURION AND THE QUEEN…the story is riveting. Marius is a mix of strength, brutality and…compassion. Delia is absolutely fantastic - a kick-ass heroine, devoted to her people, yet, there's a vulnerable side to her. [The] love scenes are sensually erotic, laced with Marius' compassionate side, as well as the highly-charged, magnificently sexual Roman side of his personality. I'm caught up in Delia's passion and her unexpected sexual awakening in Marius' capable hands. Can't wait for [the sequel] BRETON & THE GENERAL.” Author, Catherine Chernow
Historical novels especially historical Romance tend to fall within fairly set parameters and usually tend to be a bit cliché this story breaks out of those parameters and destroys the clichés with a truly refreshing story of love in ancient Britannia." - Simply Romance Reviews
"As The Edge of Honor builds directly off the previous novel, I highly recommend reading The Centurion and the Queen first. This historical epic continues to explore the relationship between Delia and Marius but with their already established romance as more of a subplot. The focus is on the struggle for power. The author, Minnette Meador, adeptly weaves in Roman and Celtic words and references, adding realism to this harsh world. Fans of The Centurion and the Queen will not be disappointed." Fallen Angel Review - 5 Angels
The Centurion and the Queen by Minnette Meador
Read by Joysann, Publisher's Weekly
"When the beautiful Breton queen Delia puts herself forward to negotiate the release of her tribesmen, Roman Centurion Marius is enthralled with her wit and bravery. Delia, for her part, is intrigued with the commander in a way she's never experienced. Their passion flares, but when duty demands his strict adherence, neither is sure they can bear the consequences. I was engrossed by The Centurion and the Queen, and didn't put it down. I've always enjoyed more those historical novels that are based on researched events and people, than those that are simply placed in some past era. And though I'm no historian, I've always been intrigued by how the western world was changed by the Roman occupancy. Minnette Meador's romance story touches on events in the British Isles that did shape history, but leaves the reader hoping that, even in those harsh and cruel times, there could have been a happily ever-after."
"...if you're looking for an exciting read, empowered heroine, romantic love, and intriguing vision of English history, the Centurion and the Queen will supply your needs and more." Sheila Deeth - Gather
"...this is a cracking novel and if you’re a history buff like me and love a riveting read that’s difficult to put down, then you’ll enjoy The Centurion and the Queen. It’s a fantastic novel that delivers in every way and deserves to be read. Get it today and I promise you won’t be disappointed." Lucid Review from Ireland
“The Centurion And The Queen is very well written and well researched…I enjoyed it and am greatly looking forward to Minnette Meador's next novel.” Enduring Romance Review
“…I’m looking forward to reading more of [Minnette’s] works… She brings you into a new time and very quickly has you integrated into the lives and settings of her characters. I encourage you to try out Minnette’s work and see how enmeshed you will become in her wonderful settings. …this book pulled me in and I read it in two sittings…” 4-Hearts – Nightowl Romance Review
“Ms. Meador weaves a beautiful story that I could not get enough of. Her characters are so full of life and were enjoyable to read. The setting was great too, since it is one of my favorite time periods. I could only hope that Delia and Marius would come through it all right no matter what happened between them. This is one author that I would love to read more and hope to see how she deals with more situations in her stories.” Coffee Time Romance, 4 Cups
“…You all have to read The Centurion and the Queen by Minnette Meador. It’s awesome!!! What a thrilling story!!! Honestly, this has to be one of the best historicals I’ve read in very a long time. The story will leave you gasping, smiling, screaming at/cheering for the characters, and wishing this book would be made into a movie. The interaction between Marius and Delia is amazing and breathtaking.” Author, Tia Fanning
“…I [was] absolutely absorbed in the story of THE CENTURION AND THE QUEEN…the story is riveting. Marius is a mix of strength, brutality and…compassion. Delia is absolutely fantastic - a kick-ass heroine, devoted to her people, yet, there's a vulnerable side to her. [The] love scenes are sensually erotic, laced with Marius' compassionate side, as well as the highly-charged, magnificently sexual Roman side of his personality. I'm caught up in Delia's passion and her unexpected sexual awakening in Marius' capable hands. Can't wait for [the sequel] BRETON & THE GENERAL.” Author, Catherine Chernow
STARSIGHT REVIEWS
PIERS ANTHONY
“[Starsight] is one powerful and imaginative fantasy adventure novel with many nice touches...there is magic galore, and challenge galore; nothing comes easy. It's the first of a series, and it should do well...”
SPIDER ROBINSON, co-author with Robert A. Heinlein of VARIABLE STAR
"After millennia of discovery and exploration, and especially the last century or two of strip-mining, you’d think the fantasy genre would be wrung dry by now, leaving its writers with nothing to do but rewrite, presenting old ideas in newer clothes. Minnette Meador has begun reinventing and redefining the field by page 30 of STARSIGHT, and hasn’t stopped by the final sentence. But there’s more than just novel ideas going on, here; Meador also knows the unfakeable secret of keeping even newcomers turning the pages: care about your characters so much it becomes infectious. This is a Typhoid Mary of a book, from a writer to watch."
Terri Patrick’s Blog
StarSight Vol. I and Vol. II
June 7, 2009 at 9:17 pm (Books)
StarSight Vol. I & Vol II by Minnette Meador are a fantasy adventure of classic potential. It includes a world map of locations (I love maps!), the writing is visual and grants a texture of this world for the reader to really sink into.StarSightI
Volume I introduces a guider, Trenara, who has visions and a crystal staff that grants magical power through musical notes, sung with perfect pitch. Trenara is mentor to Prince Joshan, and both are beloved by all. We meet them, taking a favorite adventure through their world, which is on the verge of trauma (of course!). Primary characters are introduced subtly, and past events that shape the story of the moment, are presented with a full spectrum of texture and emotion that is sometimes poetic, and weaves all the stories into a tapestry.
The primary dilemma Trenara faces is turning Joshan into a Messiah, not what she wants to do, and something a ten-year-old boy has little desire to attain. Even though Joshan magically ages ten years in one night, and has the support of some delightfully crusty characters in Haiden, Vanderliden and the rebel Sark, the ancient evil is already in power and creating havoc through the world. Through battles, deceit and despair, the “good” win in the end and Joshan has become both Emperor and Messiah for his people. BUT! The evil is not defeated….
StarSight II
StarSight II begins as if turning the page in time. (I had a two week lapse until getting Vol. II. I recommend getting them both at the same time!) The victorious and magical team begin the journey to meet and defeat the evil Sirdar, by starting at the Isle of Mathisma, the sanctum of all knowledge and home base of the crystal of power.
As is Vol. I, the stories are vibrant with color and song, unique magic and interweaving stories. But where Vol. II excels is delving deeper into the darkness festering, even within the empire of light. There are scary things where the “good” has dwelled for thousands of years. As the keepers of the magic implode under darker powers, scarier visions take hold of the heroes boldly going where they fear to tread. The story evolves and explodes. Not only does the reader begin to doubt the “good”, but are shown the “evil” as potentially preferred.
Past stories weave the tapestry, and dig deeper into magic, tamper with judging which is good or evil, and a potential twist that could show all the battles as having been – for naught. As a reader, I couldn’t put it down, couldn’t figure out which way the tides would turn, began to feel sympathy for Sirdar (evil) and was horrified at some of the good choices. Characters on the good side in Vol I, are revealed as not, in Vol II. Fortunately, the battles are dealt with in quick slices of horror and gore, then the reader is plowed through the carnage, as the story continues…
I read more on philosophies, science, human history and cultures, than current fantasy novels. This is why these two of Minnette’s books generated a personal connection with me. In her world building, and the challenges characters face, I could see many mirrors to different spiritual and cultural touches, for humanity. Yet no one “power” reigned supreme once all the “good” people united with dignity and a common goal.
The ending was fulfilling, surprising and really sealed my fate. I have no choice but to begin at the beginning, and read this series again. It is that good.
Happy reading!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
STARSIGHT by Minnette Meador
"I will forever curse the fates for not giving time to finish this in one sitting. This is a world you’ll want to sink into, and only come out for the direst of emergencies.
A young prince is learning his lessons well in the Eight provinces- when he can’t get out of them. Joshan is no different than any other boy. He’d rather wrestle and learn to fight than study, but study he must. Because he actually is different then any other boy; he has magic as well as noble blood.
Trenara is a magician known as a “starguider” who has been given the assignment to teach the prince in the ways of magic. Even though she is feeling her years, she is still dedicated to training Joshan to manhood. Through dreams, she knows something is wrong in the land, and something big is coming. But she couldn’t guess that her young charge is at the heart of it. She tries to guide and protect him as best she can while he goes through his first trial- a bestowing of power and ability that should be far too much for him, given far too early. The gods decide these things. They awaken from the ordeal to find the boy not only imbued with power, but aged eight to ten years.
A young man literally overnight, Joshan returns to the city with Trenara to find his father dying, himself declared dead, and Trenara accused of treason and murder. And that’s just the first three chapters.
The book is very well paced, and the world building is exotic enough to be interesting but familiar enough that it isn’t intimidating. More characters are added as the story goes along, and they are all necessary to the tale; giants, soldiers, forest beings and mercenaries, and I found most intriguing, Trenara's true love. Go girl! Who said love could only come to the young? The story is peeled back in layers, digging deep, and doesn’t seem to have an end in sight.
Minnette has an alarmingly good grasp of politics; the treacherous waters of the provinces’ bureaucracy are well explored. She doesn’t, however, fall prey to long monologues or preachy dialogue. Strong characters, epic themes, and good action scenes have as much page time as the machinations in the halls of power.
Mostly told from Trenara’s point of view, I liked the interplay between her character and Joshan. The push/pull of teacher becoming subject as Joshan surpasses her felt parental in nature, and I understood her frustrations. I would have liked to see more from Joshan’s head; how would it feel to go from child with few worries to young man with the destiny to save the world in one night? But in keeping Joshan’s thoughts and actions secret until Trenara herself discovers them, I related to her in a more concrete way.
Though this isn’t a romance, specifically, it does have warm romantic moments. Nothing is graphic, and for that I’m glad. The story didn’t need any shock value. I love her magic; it comes through singing. As a singer myself, I have always thought the human voice held more magic than we’ve ever given it credit for.
The book doesn’t end, precisely. Starsight Volume II will carry on the tale, and I plan to make sure I have enough time to read it all at once."
"This story is stirring. It is a grand tale of unexpected heroes and psychopaths, passionate love and responsible duty, far fetched spiritual hopes and suffocating religious despair. Minnette's writing is clear and exciting, heartfelt, and often evocative. This smart page-turner will bubble your imagination and have you rooting for marvelous characters that will stay in your heart."
Peter Joseph Swanson, Author of Hollywood Sinners & Hidden River
"I have never been attracted to this genre, as I’ve always been grounded in reality and never had time for frivolity. But STARSIGHT is not frivolous… the characters are richly human, and their struggle between good and evil ranks with the most creative in literature. I got used to idea of superpowers real quick and now have a magic wand on my wish list. Minnette’s use of singing to invoke “the power” touched my soul and added a unique component of beautiful sound to the reading. I never thought I’d feel comfortable living on a mystical planet in an indefinite time period, but her descriptions not only took me there, they kept me there… like Homer’s Sirens."
Shirley Howard, Author, Tales Out of School
"Meador has crafted a world as expansive and imaginative as any that have graced the pages of fiction before. Her characters are embodied with real sinew, souls, and motives. They are never flat, and rise to a variety of challenges and the full spectrum of human emotions. Meador is at her best when she shows how the characters of her powerfully prodigious cast play off of one another, and how these connections and collisions help to further both the plot and the intrigue of Starsight. This novel is truly NOT to be missed!" Luke Reynolds, Author A New Man and Inside Out and Outside In
A Fantasy Novel Worth Reading- A Review of Starsight
by A. F. Stewart
I just finished my copy of Starsight by Minnette Meador, and I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend it.
Here's my review:
Starsight is a superior, old-fashioned, epic tale of wizardry, evil and empires.
The book tells the tale of Trenara, Joshan and their allies, as they battle the Machiavellian schemes of Sirdar, and it weaves an intriguing, complex journey for the reader.
The world inside the pages comes alive fully, unfolding with a vibrant energy, and wholly realized characters. From the first page to the last word, I was captivated and entertained. The author creates an inventive outlook on the world of wizards, kings, and magic, giving us characters to care about as they slowly deal with the expanding threat, amidst their secrets, flaws and decency.
Starsight is the first volume in a series, and I can't wait until the next book. It is a remarkable fantasy novel.
______________________________________________
Starsight, by Minnette Meador
by Sheila Deeth
Here's a confession. I didn't like fairy tales as a child. I wasn't scared of them - they just annoyed me. Life wasn't meant to be so unpredictable and so unfair, or if was I didn't want to read about it.
I wanted to read my big brother's books - real books the same shape and size as grown-up ones, with lots of words and no pictures. But my brother said I had to prove I was serious first. He told me to read the Snow Queen, but I loathed it so much I volunteered to clean his room instead. That way, I could read chapters from his bookshelf once a week without anyone knowing.
They read Alice in Wonderland to me in grade school. I tried to cover my ears. And in junior high I had to listen to the Hobbit. I couldn't understand the attraction at all, and deduced that fantasy really wasn't my thing.
At college, the young man, who later became my husband, had a novel way of making sure I stayed in touch. He loaned me his copy of Frank Herbert's Dune. It was a thick book that took a long time to read, and when I was finished I had to give it back. My husband likes Dune because he's always loved science fiction (so have I), but it was the first book verging on fantasy that I really enjoyed. Then I bought the Narnia books, Lord of the Rings (and the Hobbit and the Silmarillion of course), the complete works of Lewis Carroll, Earthsea (back when it was only a trilogy)... I was hooked. I even started meeting with friends once a week to play a variant on Dungeons and Dragons.
Then we married and had kids.
It wasn't till I picked up my copy of Minnette Meador's Starsight, mailed freshly minted, signed and personalized by the author (a gather friend), that I realized how long it was since I'd enjoyed a long fantasy (unless Harry Potter counts). I tried George R.R. Martin's books recently, but couldn't get into them - the short reading sessions of a busy life meant the story became too disjointed for me to follow. I was actually nervous as I started Starsight, wanting so much to enjoy it, but beginning to wonder if my reading had come full circle.
I guess Minnette allayed my fears fairly quickly. Eechas instead of hairy horses disturbed me - maybe that's one of my problems, keeping the language of a fantasy world in mind. Guiders. Power (always in italics). I wasn't sure, but I kept reading; persevered into the second chapter. Then suddenly the whole of Minnette's strange world came into focus in my imagination. I was there, transported for a chapter at a time, and the names and images were ready and waiting to return as soon as I came back. With so many names - such strange names - I'm not sure how she did it. But I'd have to say, Minnette has a very deft hand at weaving enough detail into her tale to keep it all flowing smoothly in and out of memory.
Two things attracted me to the book before I read it: Piers Anthony's endorsement on the front cover, and Spider Robinson's on the back. The pictures on the cover made me think I might be in for a Lord of the Rings look-alike, but I was pleased to be wrong. Starsight is set in world of its own, with human characters, flawed and believable, stories and histories interwoven and slowly revealed, and an enjoyable premise of good misused and evil strangely attractive.
Somewhere along the way, I realized I was reading book one of a set. Now I've finished, and the world's still waiting, it's peoples poised for disaster and war, its problems and deceits only partially resolved. Please get the next one published soon Minnette.
Meanwhile, maybe it's time I tried a Song of Ice and Fire again, my fantasy taste-buds now revitalized and hungry for more. Thanks Minnette.
PIERS ANTHONY
“[Starsight] is one powerful and imaginative fantasy adventure novel with many nice touches...there is magic galore, and challenge galore; nothing comes easy. It's the first of a series, and it should do well...”
SPIDER ROBINSON, co-author with Robert A. Heinlein of VARIABLE STAR
"After millennia of discovery and exploration, and especially the last century or two of strip-mining, you’d think the fantasy genre would be wrung dry by now, leaving its writers with nothing to do but rewrite, presenting old ideas in newer clothes. Minnette Meador has begun reinventing and redefining the field by page 30 of STARSIGHT, and hasn’t stopped by the final sentence. But there’s more than just novel ideas going on, here; Meador also knows the unfakeable secret of keeping even newcomers turning the pages: care about your characters so much it becomes infectious. This is a Typhoid Mary of a book, from a writer to watch."
Terri Patrick’s Blog
StarSight Vol. I and Vol. II
June 7, 2009 at 9:17 pm (Books)
StarSight Vol. I & Vol II by Minnette Meador are a fantasy adventure of classic potential. It includes a world map of locations (I love maps!), the writing is visual and grants a texture of this world for the reader to really sink into.StarSightI
Volume I introduces a guider, Trenara, who has visions and a crystal staff that grants magical power through musical notes, sung with perfect pitch. Trenara is mentor to Prince Joshan, and both are beloved by all. We meet them, taking a favorite adventure through their world, which is on the verge of trauma (of course!). Primary characters are introduced subtly, and past events that shape the story of the moment, are presented with a full spectrum of texture and emotion that is sometimes poetic, and weaves all the stories into a tapestry.
The primary dilemma Trenara faces is turning Joshan into a Messiah, not what she wants to do, and something a ten-year-old boy has little desire to attain. Even though Joshan magically ages ten years in one night, and has the support of some delightfully crusty characters in Haiden, Vanderliden and the rebel Sark, the ancient evil is already in power and creating havoc through the world. Through battles, deceit and despair, the “good” win in the end and Joshan has become both Emperor and Messiah for his people. BUT! The evil is not defeated….
StarSight II
StarSight II begins as if turning the page in time. (I had a two week lapse until getting Vol. II. I recommend getting them both at the same time!) The victorious and magical team begin the journey to meet and defeat the evil Sirdar, by starting at the Isle of Mathisma, the sanctum of all knowledge and home base of the crystal of power.
As is Vol. I, the stories are vibrant with color and song, unique magic and interweaving stories. But where Vol. II excels is delving deeper into the darkness festering, even within the empire of light. There are scary things where the “good” has dwelled for thousands of years. As the keepers of the magic implode under darker powers, scarier visions take hold of the heroes boldly going where they fear to tread. The story evolves and explodes. Not only does the reader begin to doubt the “good”, but are shown the “evil” as potentially preferred.
Past stories weave the tapestry, and dig deeper into magic, tamper with judging which is good or evil, and a potential twist that could show all the battles as having been – for naught. As a reader, I couldn’t put it down, couldn’t figure out which way the tides would turn, began to feel sympathy for Sirdar (evil) and was horrified at some of the good choices. Characters on the good side in Vol I, are revealed as not, in Vol II. Fortunately, the battles are dealt with in quick slices of horror and gore, then the reader is plowed through the carnage, as the story continues…
I read more on philosophies, science, human history and cultures, than current fantasy novels. This is why these two of Minnette’s books generated a personal connection with me. In her world building, and the challenges characters face, I could see many mirrors to different spiritual and cultural touches, for humanity. Yet no one “power” reigned supreme once all the “good” people united with dignity and a common goal.
The ending was fulfilling, surprising and really sealed my fate. I have no choice but to begin at the beginning, and read this series again. It is that good.
Happy reading!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
STARSIGHT by Minnette Meador
"I will forever curse the fates for not giving time to finish this in one sitting. This is a world you’ll want to sink into, and only come out for the direst of emergencies.
A young prince is learning his lessons well in the Eight provinces- when he can’t get out of them. Joshan is no different than any other boy. He’d rather wrestle and learn to fight than study, but study he must. Because he actually is different then any other boy; he has magic as well as noble blood.
Trenara is a magician known as a “starguider” who has been given the assignment to teach the prince in the ways of magic. Even though she is feeling her years, she is still dedicated to training Joshan to manhood. Through dreams, she knows something is wrong in the land, and something big is coming. But she couldn’t guess that her young charge is at the heart of it. She tries to guide and protect him as best she can while he goes through his first trial- a bestowing of power and ability that should be far too much for him, given far too early. The gods decide these things. They awaken from the ordeal to find the boy not only imbued with power, but aged eight to ten years.
A young man literally overnight, Joshan returns to the city with Trenara to find his father dying, himself declared dead, and Trenara accused of treason and murder. And that’s just the first three chapters.
The book is very well paced, and the world building is exotic enough to be interesting but familiar enough that it isn’t intimidating. More characters are added as the story goes along, and they are all necessary to the tale; giants, soldiers, forest beings and mercenaries, and I found most intriguing, Trenara's true love. Go girl! Who said love could only come to the young? The story is peeled back in layers, digging deep, and doesn’t seem to have an end in sight.
Minnette has an alarmingly good grasp of politics; the treacherous waters of the provinces’ bureaucracy are well explored. She doesn’t, however, fall prey to long monologues or preachy dialogue. Strong characters, epic themes, and good action scenes have as much page time as the machinations in the halls of power.
Mostly told from Trenara’s point of view, I liked the interplay between her character and Joshan. The push/pull of teacher becoming subject as Joshan surpasses her felt parental in nature, and I understood her frustrations. I would have liked to see more from Joshan’s head; how would it feel to go from child with few worries to young man with the destiny to save the world in one night? But in keeping Joshan’s thoughts and actions secret until Trenara herself discovers them, I related to her in a more concrete way.
Though this isn’t a romance, specifically, it does have warm romantic moments. Nothing is graphic, and for that I’m glad. The story didn’t need any shock value. I love her magic; it comes through singing. As a singer myself, I have always thought the human voice held more magic than we’ve ever given it credit for.
The book doesn’t end, precisely. Starsight Volume II will carry on the tale, and I plan to make sure I have enough time to read it all at once."
"This story is stirring. It is a grand tale of unexpected heroes and psychopaths, passionate love and responsible duty, far fetched spiritual hopes and suffocating religious despair. Minnette's writing is clear and exciting, heartfelt, and often evocative. This smart page-turner will bubble your imagination and have you rooting for marvelous characters that will stay in your heart."
Peter Joseph Swanson, Author of Hollywood Sinners & Hidden River
"I have never been attracted to this genre, as I’ve always been grounded in reality and never had time for frivolity. But STARSIGHT is not frivolous… the characters are richly human, and their struggle between good and evil ranks with the most creative in literature. I got used to idea of superpowers real quick and now have a magic wand on my wish list. Minnette’s use of singing to invoke “the power” touched my soul and added a unique component of beautiful sound to the reading. I never thought I’d feel comfortable living on a mystical planet in an indefinite time period, but her descriptions not only took me there, they kept me there… like Homer’s Sirens."
Shirley Howard, Author, Tales Out of School
"Meador has crafted a world as expansive and imaginative as any that have graced the pages of fiction before. Her characters are embodied with real sinew, souls, and motives. They are never flat, and rise to a variety of challenges and the full spectrum of human emotions. Meador is at her best when she shows how the characters of her powerfully prodigious cast play off of one another, and how these connections and collisions help to further both the plot and the intrigue of Starsight. This novel is truly NOT to be missed!" Luke Reynolds, Author A New Man and Inside Out and Outside In
A Fantasy Novel Worth Reading- A Review of Starsight
by A. F. Stewart
I just finished my copy of Starsight by Minnette Meador, and I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend it.
Here's my review:
Starsight is a superior, old-fashioned, epic tale of wizardry, evil and empires.
The book tells the tale of Trenara, Joshan and their allies, as they battle the Machiavellian schemes of Sirdar, and it weaves an intriguing, complex journey for the reader.
The world inside the pages comes alive fully, unfolding with a vibrant energy, and wholly realized characters. From the first page to the last word, I was captivated and entertained. The author creates an inventive outlook on the world of wizards, kings, and magic, giving us characters to care about as they slowly deal with the expanding threat, amidst their secrets, flaws and decency.
Starsight is the first volume in a series, and I can't wait until the next book. It is a remarkable fantasy novel.
______________________________________________
Starsight, by Minnette Meador
by Sheila Deeth
Here's a confession. I didn't like fairy tales as a child. I wasn't scared of them - they just annoyed me. Life wasn't meant to be so unpredictable and so unfair, or if was I didn't want to read about it.
I wanted to read my big brother's books - real books the same shape and size as grown-up ones, with lots of words and no pictures. But my brother said I had to prove I was serious first. He told me to read the Snow Queen, but I loathed it so much I volunteered to clean his room instead. That way, I could read chapters from his bookshelf once a week without anyone knowing.
They read Alice in Wonderland to me in grade school. I tried to cover my ears. And in junior high I had to listen to the Hobbit. I couldn't understand the attraction at all, and deduced that fantasy really wasn't my thing.
At college, the young man, who later became my husband, had a novel way of making sure I stayed in touch. He loaned me his copy of Frank Herbert's Dune. It was a thick book that took a long time to read, and when I was finished I had to give it back. My husband likes Dune because he's always loved science fiction (so have I), but it was the first book verging on fantasy that I really enjoyed. Then I bought the Narnia books, Lord of the Rings (and the Hobbit and the Silmarillion of course), the complete works of Lewis Carroll, Earthsea (back when it was only a trilogy)... I was hooked. I even started meeting with friends once a week to play a variant on Dungeons and Dragons.
Then we married and had kids.
It wasn't till I picked up my copy of Minnette Meador's Starsight, mailed freshly minted, signed and personalized by the author (a gather friend), that I realized how long it was since I'd enjoyed a long fantasy (unless Harry Potter counts). I tried George R.R. Martin's books recently, but couldn't get into them - the short reading sessions of a busy life meant the story became too disjointed for me to follow. I was actually nervous as I started Starsight, wanting so much to enjoy it, but beginning to wonder if my reading had come full circle.
I guess Minnette allayed my fears fairly quickly. Eechas instead of hairy horses disturbed me - maybe that's one of my problems, keeping the language of a fantasy world in mind. Guiders. Power (always in italics). I wasn't sure, but I kept reading; persevered into the second chapter. Then suddenly the whole of Minnette's strange world came into focus in my imagination. I was there, transported for a chapter at a time, and the names and images were ready and waiting to return as soon as I came back. With so many names - such strange names - I'm not sure how she did it. But I'd have to say, Minnette has a very deft hand at weaving enough detail into her tale to keep it all flowing smoothly in and out of memory.
Two things attracted me to the book before I read it: Piers Anthony's endorsement on the front cover, and Spider Robinson's on the back. The pictures on the cover made me think I might be in for a Lord of the Rings look-alike, but I was pleased to be wrong. Starsight is set in world of its own, with human characters, flawed and believable, stories and histories interwoven and slowly revealed, and an enjoyable premise of good misused and evil strangely attractive.
Somewhere along the way, I realized I was reading book one of a set. Now I've finished, and the world's still waiting, it's peoples poised for disaster and war, its problems and deceits only partially resolved. Please get the next one published soon Minnette.
Meanwhile, maybe it's time I tried a Song of Ice and Fire again, my fantasy taste-buds now revitalized and hungry for more. Thanks Minnette.
REVIEWS: (more below)
PIERS ANTHONY
“[Starsight] is one powerful and imaginative fantasy adventure novel with many nice touches...there is magic galore, and challenge galore; nothing comes easy. It's the first of a series, and it should do well...”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - "I was engrossed by The Centurion and the Queen, and didn't put it down."
Historical novels especially historical Romance tend to fall within fairly set parameters and usually tend to be a bit cliché this story breaks out of
PIERS ANTHONY
“[Starsight] is one powerful and imaginative fantasy adventure novel with many nice touches...there is magic galore, and challenge galore; nothing comes easy. It's the first of a series, and it should do well...”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - "I was engrossed by The Centurion and the Queen, and didn't put it down."
Historical novels especially historical Romance tend to fall within fairly set parameters and usually tend to be a bit cliché this story breaks out of
those parameters and destroys the clichés with a truly refreshing story of love in ancient Britannia." - Simply Romance Reviews
FALLEN ANGEL REVIEWS
Minnette Meador adeptly weaves in Roman and Celtic words and references, adding realism to this harsh world. Fans of The Centurion and the Queen will not be disappointed.
NIGHTOWL ROMANCE - I encourage you to try out Minnette’s work and see how enmeshed you will become in her wonderful settings. …this book pulled me in and I read it in two sittings…”
FALLEN ANGEL REVIEWS
Minnette Meador adeptly weaves in Roman and Celtic words and references, adding realism to this harsh world. Fans of The Centurion and the Queen will not be disappointed.
NIGHTOWL ROMANCE - I encourage you to try out Minnette’s work and see how enmeshed you will become in her wonderful settings. …this book pulled me in and I read it in two sittings…”
Minnette Meador
World Weaver
